Ken Takahashi

Ken Takahashi (高橋 建, Takahashi Ken, born April 16, 1969) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 1995–2008 and the New York Mets in 2009. He returned to the Carp in 2010.

Takahashi was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. On February 6, 2009, Takahashi declared himself a free agent and expressed his desire to play in Major League Baseball. He later signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Toronto Blue Jays.Takahashi signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets on March 30, 2009, and was called up to the Major Leagues on April 26. He made his MLB debut on May 2, coming into the game in the middle of the third inning to replace Óliver Pérez. Takahashi became only the third player in the post-World War II era to make his MLB debut at age 40 or older, joining Satchel Paige (42 for the Cleveland Indians in 1948) and Diomedes Olivo (41 for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960).Takahashi was released by the Mets on October 20, 2009.